Directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin, and written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, Despicable Me 2 is a family-friendly animated film that hit French theaters on June 26, 2013. A direct sequel to the original, it brings back Gru and his Minions, while also expanding the story into a spy-themed adventure. The French dubbed version features the voice of Jonathan Cohen, while the original version stars Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig. The film will be available on Disney+ starting February 1, 2026.
Having swapped his supervillain plans to raise Margo, Edith, and Agnes, Gru is trying to adjust to life as a dad, navigating the ups and downs of family routines and domestic blunders. With Professor Nefario and some Minions looking for something to do, the former villain is searching for a new purpose, away from the days of the “Villainy Bank” rankings and flashy displays of power.
His daily life is turned upside down when a top-secret organization, tasked with fighting evil worldwide, comes knocking at his door. Gru is recruited for a delicate mission: to track down the mastermind behind spectacular acts of villainy and expose an adversary with ruthless tactics. He teams up with Lucy, a fellow agent who's just as resolute as she is unpredictable, and gets caught up in an investigation where espionage constantly blends with comedy, set against a backdrop of rivalries and deception.
Much like the first installment, Despicable Me 2 relies on a highly cartoonish visual humor, a cast of memorable supporting characters, and the slapstick energy brought to life by the Minions. This sequel also introduces a new twist: the arrival of “villainous” Minions, embodying internal chaos that disrupts the group’s harmony and becomes a key source of comedy.
The feature film also continues to define the franchise’s musical identity, with a soundtrack once again curated by Pharrell Williams, who has composed several new songs for the movie. On the production side, Illumination Mac Guff in Paris takes center stage for most of the animation work, showcasing a collaborative Franco-American effort that boasts a distinctive style—often described by the team as “suburban gothique”—combining dark silhouettes with bold, vibrant colors.
Upon its release, this second installment primarily targets families and children aged 6 and up. However, it also appeals to adults, thanks to its playful homage to spy films and its layered jokes offering “double meanings.” The film marks a pivotal moment for the Minions universe, which, at this point, had become icons of pop culture and was on the verge of spawning their own spin-offs — all while maintaining a heartfelt focus on Gru’s relationship with fatherhood.
Despicable Me 2
Film | 2013
Released in theaters: June 26, 2013
Available on Disney+ from February 1, 2026
Animation, Comedy, Family | Duration: 1h38
Directed by Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin | Starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Jonathan Cohen
Original title: Despicable Me 2
Country: United States
Blending family comedy with spy parody, Despicable Me 2 expands on the original film by introducing a dynamic duos, a flamboyant villain, and an overload of Minions gags. Streaming now on Disney+, it offers a chance to revisit a pivotal chapter in the franchise—when Gru firmly switches to the "good guys"... all while maintaining his unmistakably chaotic personality.
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